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Monday, January 11, 2016

Are we too old for new resolutions?

A new year, and plenty of resolutions are made, consciously or unconsciously.
Here are mine for 2016:

1. Save whenever you can.
See that tree that fell on our house just before Christmas? It was not planned. It was never anticipated, and its removal sucked more Christmas gifts and Christmas trips from our already thin wallet. Yes, you say, we save what we can; but hey, don't we deserve to live a little while we can? The trouble with not saving is that these events that suck you dry happen all the time in unexpected ways. Better save for them.

2. Make a list of your needs and wants and get yourself a want often.
Counter-intuitive? Perhaps. We drive past a store that sells ice cream in cones. We tell ourselves that we will stop each time and have an ice cream. Each time we drive past. Last year we stopped only once, when our grandchild was around. The rest of the time we feel ok to skip, choosing not to indulge, but knowing that we can if we want to.

3. Don't skip your needs. You need meds, exercise, visits to doctors, a healthy diet. Plan these activities as stringently as possible, and don't even think about skipping. I have scheduled my weight lifting exercise just before I shower, five minutes or so each day, followed by a shower, followed by rubbing lotions. I can't afford a spa day, but I can afford a spa hour. I've planned my housework in a similar way, with folding clothes providing me with stretching exercises. When I plan my weekly menu I include one meal a day that is all vegetarian, a salad or a soup, for instance. This way I help myself to more servings of fruit and vegetables recommended by the doctors. I intend on trying new recipes that will keep my taste buds happy and curious all through the year.

15 comments:

Wow! Excellent resolutions/suggestions, Rosaria! They make so much sense and seem so attainable. I especially liked hearing how you have integrated healthy living into your schedule. I need to remind myself to do the same. Thanks for the inspiration!

Studies have proved that it's never too late for exercise...especially weights...and every day is a new one so why not new challenges, resolutions, and fun things, to meet the needs and wants of the day. I bet you find many yummy options for food and you know how to cook so it's a win, win! Good luck with these very smart resolutions and I'm working on mine...and maybe even stealing your ideas!

Good for you! We tend to be frugal by nature and our splurges are within our means...because we've always lived within our means. I had big plans for that latest powerball win though! We have to put a new roof on our house. I expect we will be making only modest splurges this year. We will be back in Port Orford this spring. It's low cost travel and a beautiful break from our routine.

Great recommendations. One of my resolutions is to volunteer more. Monday & Wednesday I volunteer at our public library for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Second is to exercise: Tuesday & Wednesday I go to a senior fit class at my gym. Third is to take Jake for more walks and that is where I stumble with my intent. Happy new year, dear friend! Cheryl

That tree. Oh no! Makes me worry about the doug firs all around our house. They grow more imposing with each passing year.Your resolutions make perfect sense. Do you always make resolutions? I hardly ever do, feeling like I would be dooming myself to failure. I can't seem to keep promises to myself, although I'm good at being faithful to others.

Yes, it's true that every unexpected expense sucks the life out of a retiree's wallet. But what can you do? These things happen continuously. All we can do is accept it and go on, right? But I agree we need to try to save where-ever we can. In general, I don't make NY's resolutions, but the last few years I've tried to "put myself out there" more... and I plan to continue to try to do that.

Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us. Those unexpected hits do make it feel as if the roof has fallen in on us. In your case, that is exactly what happened. A lifetime of being hit with unexpected expenses prepares the wise to plan for those unplanned, unforeseen events. It makes me sad to see this happen to you.

My husband and I together make an interesting couple when it comes to following the advice that you give. Over the years, I think we have been able to help each other plan for the unexpected. He makes the money. I am the one that insists on planning for the unexpected. It wasn't always that way for him.

When it comes to ice cream, we take a different route on our way home because we know we can't just drive by the ice cream shop. We stop more than our diets need, but we do enjoy our indulgence.

Such good advice. I think it's especially important to do the preventative stuff faithfully, exams, teeth cleaning, eating the best diet you can afford. Hopefully it saves money in the long run and saves some being sick and/or hurting. I like your advice to include a few of the "wants" in our lives as you can. What good is life without a little fun!